US8097372B2 - Fuel cell system and method of starting operation of the fuel cell system - Google Patents
Fuel cell system and method of starting operation of the fuel cell system Download PDFInfo
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- US8097372B2 US8097372B2 US12/410,326 US41032609A US8097372B2 US 8097372 B2 US8097372 B2 US 8097372B2 US 41032609 A US41032609 A US 41032609A US 8097372 B2 US8097372 B2 US 8097372B2
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- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 161
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 46
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims description 30
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000002000 scavenging effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000007865 diluting Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000003487 electrochemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 abstract description 160
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 abstract description 72
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 72
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 58
- 150000002431 hydrogen Chemical class 0.000 abstract description 14
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 120
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 17
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 11
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 210000005056 cell body Anatomy 0.000 description 7
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003113 dilution method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000005518 polymer electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002737 fuel gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003014 ion exchange membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012886 linear function Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/04097—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with recycling of the reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04231—Purging of the reactants
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a cathode gas supply apparatus, an anode gas supply apparatus, an anode gas replacement apparatus, and a dilution apparatus. Further, the present invention relates to a method of starting operation of the fuel cell system.
- Fuel cells are systems for obtaining direct current electrical energy by electrochemical reactions of an anode gas (chiefly hydrogen-containing gas) supplied to an anode and a cathode gas (chiefly oxygen-containing gas) supplied to a cathode.
- a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a power generation cell formed by sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly between separators.
- the membrane electrode assembly includes the anode, the cathode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode.
- the electrolyte membrane is a polymer ion exchange membrane.
- predetermined numbers of the membrane electrode assemblies and separators are stacked alternately to form a fuel cell stack, and the fuel cell stack is mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile.
- the technique relates to a method of starting operation of a sealed hydrogen type fuel cell apparatus including a fuel cell body, a hydrogen storage tank for storing (occluding) hydrogen required for the fuel cell body, a pressure control unit for controlling the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage tank to the fuel cell body, a hydrogen control valve for controlling the flow of the hydrogen, air supply means for supplying oxygen required for power generation of the fuel cell to the fuel cell body, a control unit for controlling the air supply means, a discharge valve provided on the anode side of the fuel cell, a switch for controlling an external output from the fuel cell body, and a control unit for monitoring the output voltage of the fuel cell and controlling the discharge valve and the switch.
- the hydrogen control valve for controlling the flow of the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank is opened. Then, in response to a signal from the control unit for controlling the air supply means, the air supply means supply the air to the fuel cell body. Then, the discharge valve is opened. After the output voltage of the fuel cell becomes a certain voltage or more, in response to a signal from the control unit for controlling the discharge valve, the discharge valve is closed to start the external output.
- the amount of hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell through the discharge valve is subject to change depending on the change in a stoppage time (i.e., a period of time from stopping of operation of the fuel cell system to starting of operation of the fuel cell system). It is because, the anode gas is consumed by chemical reaction when operation is stopped, and the amount of the remaining hydrogen is reduced due to out-leakage or cross-leakage.
- the present invention has been made to solve the problem of this type, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system and a method of starting operation of the fuel cell system in which energy consumption at the time of dilution is suitably reduced, and operation of the fuel cell system is started economically.
- the prevent invention relates to a fuel cell system including a fuel cell for generating electricity by electrochemical reactions of a cathode gas supplied to a cathode gas channel and an anode gas supplied to an anode gas channel, a cathode gas supply apparatus for supplying the cathode gas, an anode gas supply apparatus for supplying the anode gas, an anode gas replacement apparatus for replacing the anode gas in the anode gas channel by the anode gas supply apparatus at the time of starting operation of the fuel cell, and a dilution apparatus for diluting an anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell by mixing the anode off gas with the cathode gas supplied from the cathode gas supply apparatus.
- the fuel cell system includes a stoppage time detection apparatus for detecting a stoppage time during which operation of the fuel cell is stopped, and a cathode gas flow rate control apparatus for changing the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied from the cathode gas supply apparatus depending on the stoppage time, at the time of replacing the anode gas by the anode gas replacement apparatus.
- the present invention relates to a method of starting operation of a fuel cell system including a fuel cell for generating electricity by electrochemical reactions of a cathode gas supplied to a cathode gas channel and an anode gas supplied to an anode gas channel, a cathode gas supply apparatus for supplying the cathode gas, an anode gas supply apparatus for supplying the anode gas, an anode gas replacement apparatus for replacing the anode gas in the anode gas channel by the anode gas supply apparatus at the time of starting operation of the fuel cell, and a dilution apparatus for diluting an anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell by mixing the anode off gas with the cathode gas supplied from the cathode gas supply apparatus.
- the method includes the steps of detecting a stoppage time during which operation of the fuel cell is stopped, and changing the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied from the cathode gas supply apparatus depending on the stoppage time, at the time of replacing the anode gas by the anode gas replacement apparatus.
- the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied from the cathode gas supply apparatus is changed depending on the stoppage time. Therefore, the flow rate of the cathode gas is regulated such that the anode gas can be diluted, depending on the change in the amount of the anode gas remaining in the fuel cell.
- the cathode gas is regulated so that the anode gas actually remaining in the fuel cell can be diluted suitably, the cathode gas supply apparatus is not operated unnecessarily. Thus, energy consumption is suitably controlled economically.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing structure of a fuel cell system for carrying out a method of starting operation according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation starting method
- FIG. 3 is a control map showing the correspondence between the stoppage time and the air flow rate
- FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing structure of a fuel cell system for carrying out a method of starting operation according to a second embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 5 is a control map showing the correspondence between the stoppage time and the air flow rate
- FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation starting method
- FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process of correcting the air flow rate
- FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation starting method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a control map showing the correspondence between the stoppage time and the air flow rate
- FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation starting method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a control map showing the correspondence between the stoppage time and the air flow rate.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing structure of a fuel cell system 10 for carrying out a method of starting operation according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- the fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 12 , a cathode gas supply apparatus 14 for supplying a cathode gas such as an oxygen-containing gas (hereinafter simply referred to as the air) to the fuel cell stack 12 , an anode gas supply apparatus 16 for supplying an anode gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas (hereinafter simply referred to as the hydrogen) to the fuel cell stack 12 , a coolant supply apparatus 18 for supplying a coolant to the fuel cell stack 12 , a dilution apparatus 20 for diluting an anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 by mixing it with the air supplied from the cathode gas supply apparatus 14 , and a controller 21 .
- a cathode gas supply apparatus 14 for supplying a cathode gas such as an oxygen-containing gas (hereinafter simply referred to as the air) to the fuel cell stack 12
- an anode gas supply apparatus 16 for supplying an anode gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas (her
- a cathode off gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 is discharged to the dilution apparatus 20 .
- the air may be directly supplied to the dilution apparatus 20 bypassing the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the fuel cell stack 12 is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells 22 .
- Each of the fuel cells 22 includes a membrane electrode assembly 30 and a pair of separators 32 , 34 sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly 30 .
- the membrane electrode assembly 30 includes an anode 26 , a cathode 28 , and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 24 interposed between the anode 26 and the cathode 28 .
- the separator 32 has an anode gas channel 36 for supplying the hydrogen to the anode 26
- the separator 34 has a cathode gas channel 38 for supplying the air to the cathode 28 .
- a coolant channel 40 for adjusting the temperature is formed between the separators 32 , 34 .
- a cathode gas supply passage 42 a for supplying the air and an anode gas supply passage 44 a for supplying hydrogen are provided at one end of the fuel cell stack 12 .
- a cathode gas discharge passage 42 b for discharging the air and an anode gas discharge passage 44 b for discharging the hydrogen are provided at the other end of the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the fuel cell stack 12 has a coolant supply passage 46 a for supplying the coolant such as pure water or ethylene glycol and a coolant discharge passage 46 b for discharging the coolant.
- the cathode gas supply passage 42 a and the cathode gas discharge passage 42 b are connected to the cathode gas channel 38 of each fuel cell 22
- the anode gas supply passage 44 a and the anode gas discharge passage 44 b are connected to the anode gas channel 36 of each fuel cell 22
- the coolant supply passage 46 a and the coolant discharge passage 46 b are connected to the coolant channel 40 of each fuel cell 22 .
- the cathode gas supply apparatus 14 has an air pump 50 for compressing the atmospheric air from the outside, and supplying the compressed air to the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the air pump 50 is provided in an air supply channel 52 .
- the air supply channel 52 is connected to a cathode gas supply passage 42 a of the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the cathode gas supply apparatus 14 has an air discharge channel 54 connected to the cathode gas discharge passage 42 b .
- the air discharge channel 54 is connected to the dilution apparatus 20 through a purge valve 56 .
- the anode gas supply apparatus 16 includes a hydrogen supply unit 58 having a hydrogen tank for storing a high pressure hydrogen (hydrogen-containing gas).
- the hydrogen supply unit 58 is connected to the anode gas supply passage 44 a of the fuel cell stack 12 through a hydrogen supply channel 60 .
- An open/close valve 62 is provided in the hydrogen supply channel 60
- a bypass channel 64 is connected to the hydrogen supply channel 60 and the air supply channel 52 .
- An open/close valve 66 is provided in the bypass channel 64 .
- the anode gas supply apparatus 16 includes a hydrogen discharge channel 68 connected to the anode gas discharge passage 44 b .
- the hydrogen discharge channel 68 is connected to the dilution apparatus 20 through a purge valve 70 .
- the coolant supply apparatus 18 has a water pump 72 , and the water pump 72 is connected to the coolant supply passage 46 a and the coolant discharge passage 46 b of the fuel cell stack 12 through a coolant circulation channel 74 .
- a radiator 76 is provided in the coolant circulation channel 74 .
- the air pump 50 of the cathode gas supply apparatus 14 and the water pump 72 of the coolant supply apparatus 18 are coaxially coupled to a single motor 78 , and are operated coaxially.
- a voltage/current monitor 80 for monitoring voltage and current at the time of power generation is connected to the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the fuel cell stack 12 is connected to an energy storage such as a battery 81 , and the battery 81 is capable of supplying electrical energy to the motor 78 or the like.
- the controller 21 includes an anode gas replacement apparatus 82 , a stoppage time detection apparatus 84 , a cathode gas flow rate control apparatus 86 , and a storage device 88 .
- the anode gas replacement apparatus 82 replaces the hydrogen in the anode gas channel 36 by the anode gas supply apparatus 16 .
- the stoppage time detection apparatus 84 detects a stoppage time (i.e., a period of time from stopping of operation of the fuel cell system to starting of operation of the fuel cell system) during which operation of the fuel cell stack 12 is stopped.
- the cathode gas flow rate control apparatus 86 changes the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied from the cathode gas supply apparatus 14 depending on the stoppage time at the time of replacing the hydrogen by the anode gas replacement apparatus 82 .
- the storage device 88 stores data such as a control map as descried later.
- step S 1 it is determined whether scavenging of the anode gas channel 36 using the air (cathode gas) has been performed or not during stoppage. If it is determined that scavenging using the cathode gas has not been performed during stoppage (NO in step S 1 ), the process proceeds to step S 2 , and the stoppage time detection apparatus 84 calculates a stoppage time, e.g., using a timer (not shown).
- step S 3 the process proceeds to step S 3 , and the target air flow rate (cathode gas flow rate) at the time of starting operation is calculated based on the calculated stoppage time.
- the controller 21 has data of the control map indicating the correspondence between the stoppage time and the air flow rate in the storage device 88 beforehand.
- the flow rate of the air is increased.
- T 1 severe hours
- the flow rate of the air is set to a minimum flow rate value V 1 which is required at the time of OCV. It is because, if the stoppage time is short, the amount of hydrogen remaining in the anode gas channel system is large. Therefore, the amount of hydrogen discharged at the time of gas replacement by OCV purging is increased, and accordingly the flow rate of the air needs to be increased.
- the minimum flow rate value V 1 is the same as the predetermined value V 1 in the case where scavenging is performed during stoppage as described later.
- the cathode gas flow rate control apparatus 86 controls the air pump 50 of the cathode gas supply apparatus 14 , and operates the hydrogen supply unit 58 of the anode gas supply apparatus (step S 4 ).
- the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 58 passes through the hydrogen supply channel 60 , and the hydrogen is supplied to the anode gas supply passage 44 a of the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the hydrogen supplied to the anode gas supply passage 44 a flows into the anode gas channel 36 , and flows along the electrode surface of the anode 26 of each fuel cell 22 . Thereafter, the hydrogen is discharged to the anode gas discharge passage 44 b.
- the remaining gas (including the hydrogen) remaining in the anode gas channel system (the anode gas supply passage 44 a , the anode gas channel 36 , and the anode gas discharge passage 44 b ) of the fuel cell stack 12 is replaced with fresh hydrogen.
- the purge valve 70 By opening the purge valve 70 , the remaining gas and the fresh hydrogen (anode off gas) are supplied into the dilution apparatus 20 through the hydrogen discharge channel 68 .
- the cathode gas supply apparatus 14 by electrical energy supplied from the battery 81 , the motor 78 is rotated, and operation of the air pump 50 is started.
- the compressed air supplied from the air pump 50 is supplied to the cathode gas supply passage 42 a of the fuel cell stack 12 through the air supply channel 52 .
- the air supplied to the cathode gas supply passage 42 a flows into the cathode gas channel 38 , and then flows along the electrode surface of the cathode 28 . Thereafter, the air is discharged to the cathode gas discharge passage 42 b .
- the purge valve 56 By opening the purge valve 56 , the air (cathode off gas) is supplied into the dilution apparatus 20 through the air discharge channel 54 .
- the control map defining the correspondence between the stoppage time and the flow rate of the air beforehand is provided.
- the target air flow rate at the time of starting operation is determined.
- the stoppage time is longer, more hydrogen is consumed by the electrochemical reaction, and also the amount of the remaining hydrogen is reduced by out-leakage, cross-leakage or the like. Therefore, as the stoppage time is increased, by reducing the air flow rate at the time of starting operation, the air flow rate is regulated to a suitable amount for sufficiently diluting the hydrogen actually remaining in the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the air pump 50 of the cathode gas supply apparatus 14 is not operated unnecessarily.
- electrical energy supplied to the motor 78 for operating the air pump 50 is reduced, and energy consumption of the battery 81 is suitably controlled economically.
- the water pump 72 and the air pump 50 are operated coaxially.
- the coolant supplied to the coolant circulation channel 74 by the water pump 72 flows from the coolant supply passage 46 a of the fuel cell stack 12 to the coolant channel 40 .
- the coolant After the coolant cools each of the fuel cells 22 , the coolant is discharged from the coolant discharge passage 46 b to the coolant circulation channel 74 .
- step S 5 for detecting OCV of the fuel cell stack 12 through the voltage/current monitor 80 .
- OCV detected by the voltage/current monitor 80 reaches the predetermined value, and/or when predetermined time has elapsed after starting operation of the fuel cell stack 12 , it is determined that the process of starting operation of the fuel cell stack 12 has been finished (YES in step S 6 ).
- step S 1 if it is determined that scavenging of the anode gas channel 36 has been performed using the air during stoppage (YES in step S 1 ), the process proceeds to step S 7 , and the target air flow rate at the time of starting operation is set to the predetermined value, i.e., the minimum flow rate value V 1 for OCV.
- the open/close valve 62 is closed, the open/close valve 66 is opened, the purge valve 56 is closed, and the purge valve 70 is opened.
- the air pump 50 is operated by the motor 78 .
- the external air is supplied from the air supply channel 52 through the bypass channel 64 to the anode gas supply passage 44 a of the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the air supplied from the anode gas supply passage 44 a to the hydrogen supply channel 60 the gas remaining in the anode gas channel system of the fuel cell stack 12 is discharged from the hydrogen discharge channel 68 to the dilution apparatus 20 .
- the air pump 50 and the water pump 72 are coaxially operated by the motor 78 . Therefore, in the case where the stoppage time is long, and the rotation number of the air pump 50 is small, the rotation number of the water pump 72 is also decreased, and the flow rate of the coolant is decreased. Thus, warming up operation of the fuel cell stack 12 is facilitated.
- the rotation number of the air pump 50 is maintained at a certain level, for example, it is possible to effectively reduce the noise or the like which may be generated if the rotation number of the air pump 50 changes before power generation of the fuel cell stack 12 .
- FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing structure of a fuel cell system 90 for carrying out a method of staring operation according a second embodiment of the present invention.
- the constituent elements that are identical to those of the fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment are labeled with the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- the fuel cell system 90 has a controller 92 .
- the controller 92 includes means for detecting the amount of hydrogen remaining in the fuel cell stack 12 when the fuel cell stack 12 was stopped last time (remaining hydrogen amount detection means 94 ), means for correcting a control map (air flow rate) based on the amount of the remaining hydrogen (first air flow rate correction means 96 ), means for detecting the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 at the time of starting operation of the fuel cell stack 12 (fuel cell temperature detection means 98 ), and means for correcting the control map (air flow rate) based on the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 (second air flow rate correction means 100 ). It should be noted that single means may be used as the first air flow rate correction means 96 and the second air flow rate correction means 100 .
- corrections by the first and second air flow rate correction means 96 , 100 are made such that the air flow rate is increased (see sloping line L 1 ) or the air flow rate is decreased (see sloping line L 2 ).
- the remaining hydrogen amount detection means 94 detects the amount of remaining hydrogen based on, e.g., the pressure of the hydrogen remaining in the fuel cell stack 12
- the fuel cell temperature detection means 98 detects the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 by a temperature sensor or the like.
- the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 may be detected based on the temperature of the coolant, the temperature of the hydrogen, or the temperature of the air. Otherwise, the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 may be detected directly.
- steps S 11 to S 13 are carried out in the same manner as steps S 1 to S 3 in the first embodiment. Then, the process proceeds to step S 14 , and the process of correcting the air flow rate (air flow rate correction process) is performed.
- the air flow rate correction process as shown in FIG. 7 , the amount of hydrogen remaining in the fuel cell stack 12 when operation of the fuel cell stack 12 was stopped last time is detected (step S 21 ). Based on the detected remaining hydrogen amount, the air flow rate is corrected as shown in FIG. 5 (step S 22 ). That is, the air flow rate needs to be increased when the remaining hydrogen amount is large. For example, the air flow rate is corrected in a direction toward the sloping line L 1 .
- step S 24 the air flow rate is corrected.
- the volume of the air passing through the fuel cell stack 12 becomes larger when the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 at the time of starting operation of the fuel cell stack 12 is higher. Therefore, in the case where the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 at the time of starting operation of the fuel cell stack 12 is high, the air flow rate is corrected such that the flow rate of the air from the air pump 50 is decreased, e.g., in a direction toward the sloping line L 2 in FIG. 5 .
- the air flow rate may be corrected, e.g., based on the temperature of the fuel cell stacks 12 when the fuel cell stack 12 is stopped, or the temperature change during stoppage.
- the steps S 15 to S 18 are performed in the same manner as the steps S 4 to S 7 in the first embodiment.
- the air pump 50 is controlled highly accurately. Accordingly, energy consumption for hydrogen dilution is reduced effectively, and the dilution process is performed reliably.
- step S 23 the target OCV purge amount at the time of starting operation is calculated based on the calculated stoppage time. Then, the target air flow rate at the time of starting operation is calculated based on the calculated target OCV purge amount at the time of starting operation (step S 24 ).
- a control map showing the correspondence between the stoppage time and the target OCV purge amount at the time of starting operation is stored in the controller 21 beforehand.
- the air flow rate is decreased. If the stoppage time exceeds predetermined time T 2 (several hours), the air flow rate is set to the maximum flow rate value V 2 required at the time of OCV. It is because, if the stoppage time is short, the hydrogen concentration in the anode gas channel system is relatively large. Therefore, the amount of hydrogen replaced by OCV purging is reduced, and accordingly the required flow rate is small.
- the maximum flow rate value V 2 is the same as the predetermined value V 2 in the case where scavenging is performed during stoppage.
- steps S 25 to S 28 are performed in the same manner as the steps S 4 to S 7 in the first embodiment.
- the air flow rate is controlled depending on the amount of the hydrogen remaining in the anode gas channel system.
- the same advantages as in the case of the first embodiment are obtained. For example, energy consumption is reduced effectively.
- steps S 31 to S 34 are carried out in the same manner as in the case of steps S 21 to S 24 in the third embodiment. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S 35 , and the air flow rate correction process is performed (see FIG. 11 ).
- the same advantages as in the case of the second embodiment are obtained. For example, energy consumption for hydrogen dilution is reduced effectively, and the dilution process is performed reliably.
Abstract
Description
Claims (21)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2008076019A JP4940175B2 (en) | 2008-03-24 | 2008-03-24 | Fuel cell system and starting method thereof |
JP2008-076019 | 2008-03-24 |
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US20090239109A1 US20090239109A1 (en) | 2009-09-24 |
US8097372B2 true US8097372B2 (en) | 2012-01-17 |
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US12/410,326 Active 2030-07-20 US8097372B2 (en) | 2008-03-24 | 2009-03-24 | Fuel cell system and method of starting operation of the fuel cell system |
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2008
- 2008-03-24 JP JP2008076019A patent/JP4940175B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2009
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JP4940175B2 (en) | 2012-05-30 |
US20090239109A1 (en) | 2009-09-24 |
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